Albert Richard Thompson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Albert was the son of William Thomas and Charlotte Thompson (nee Hickling). His parents were married in 1884 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had at least four children: Albert Richard, Frederick, Mabel and Hilda. In 1891 William (25) and Charlotte were living at 18 Thurman Street, Nottingham, with their sons Albert (6) and Frederick (3). By 1901 they were living at 1 Edgar Rise, St Ann's, Nottingham. Only Frederick (13), Mabel (9) and Hilda (5) were still living at home, Albert having joined the Royal Navy the previous year and in 1901 serving in HMS Ganges. In January 1907 Albert left the Navy by purchase and later that year married Gertrude Ellen (Nellie) Goodall (J/A/S Nottingham). The same year his mother, Charlotte, died at the age of 39 (1907, O/N/D Basford). By 1911 Albert (26) and Gertrude (27) were living at 2 Cromwell Terrace, Alfred Street Central, St Ann's, with their two sons, John William (3, birth registered 1908 J/F/M Nottingham) and Albert (11 months, birth registered 1910 A/M/J Nottingham). At the time of Albert's death in November 1914 the family was living at 42 Crown Street, Blue Bell Hill, Nottingham. Gertrude married John R Bird in 1920 (J/F/M Nottingham) and died in 1971 (Jun Nottingham) at the age of 88 (b. 15 May 1883).
(RFR/PO/B/1994). Albert joined the Royal Navy on 20 September 1900 when he was 15 years old and engaged for 12 years on his 18th birthday, 4 November 1902. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: HMS Ganges, 20 September 1900-20 June 1901 (Boy 2nd Class, Boy 1st Class 6 June 1901); HMS Minotaur 21 June 1901-1 August 1901; HMS Ganges, 2 August 1901-10 October 1901; HMS Minotaur, 11 October 1901-4 February 1902; HMS Agincourt, 5 February 1901-2 April 1902; HMS Aboukir, 3 April 1902- 15 June 1905 (Ordinary Seaman 4 November 1902, Able Seaman 1 October 1903); HMS Excellent, 16 June 1905-22 November 1905; Cells 6 days; HMS Excellent, 29 November 1905-13 March 1906; HMS Lakona, 15 May 1906-18 January 1907. 'Shore by Purchase' in 1907 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve Portsmouth on 19 January 1907. He was mobilized on 13 July 1914 and joined HMS Good Hope as an Able Seaman. Service record annotated, ‘NP 2788/14. DD 1 November 1914. Lost when HMS Good Hope was sunk in action off Chilian Coast.' (Battle of Coronel) Albert's body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Nottingham Post obituary (abridged), 29 November 1914: 'THOMPSON on November 1st off the Chilean coast, with HMS Good Hope, Albert Richard, husband of Nellie Thompson, 42 Crown Street.' Thompson's 1914-15 Star (211537 AB, RN), British War and Victory Medals (211537 AB, RN) and memorial plaque (Albert Richard Thompson), plaque in card envelope of issue, with related slip with ‘Royal Navy’ lapel badge and a photograph of a RNVR rating, placed for sale at auction (sale date 19 September 2014)
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